A Bit of Fry and Laurie (1987–1995) User Reviews

Hilarious

[jash-1 · 9/10 · 26 August 2006]

I liked Jeeves & Wooster a lot. But it wasn't until I saw BlackAdder that I truly became a fan of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. Over the years I have shifted more toward Laurie than Fry, with "House" completing that shift. (Okay, I'm a House fanatic.) But, living in the U.S., I had never been able to see ABOFAL (other than the occasional sketch posted to the internet). Fortunately, the first two series are now out on DVD. And I've just finished watching the first one.

These men are spectacular together. The acting is beyond reproach. But it is the writing that deserves special note. It is sharp, funny, sly, silly and merciless in skewering the pompous and the ordinary alike. But, above all, it never condescends. They assume the audience is a smart as they are.

I'm tempted to give an example, but so many of the sketches have hilarious twists at the end and I wouldn't want to ruin any of the punchlines for future viewers. But I can promise you at least two or three laugh-out-loud moments in every episode (even if you are watching all by yourself, as I was.)

I do have one quibble which kept me from giving ABOFAL a score of 10. The person who mixed the soundtrack on the DVDs should be taken out and tortured. Slowly. And painfully. There is a laugh track that is silent until they get to a punchline. Then it is dropped in, loudly enough to rattle the walls, frequently ruining the next line. And, in the final sketch in Series 1, the music actually drowns out the actors.

Edit - I have since learned that ABOFAL did not use laugh tracks. The laughter was from the studio audiences (and those tapes have since been used as laugh tracks on other shows.) So the problem was not that they added laughter too loudly, just that the DVDs had a sound mixer who did not comprehend that letting the at-home audience hearing the dialog is more important than proving that the studio audience enjoyed themselves at the taping.

Triple damn and an extra slice of damn for tomorrow!

[trigerchic · 9/10 · 2 September 2006]

This is the BEST comedy sketch show I have ever seen, besides or perhaps alongside with Monty Python. Their characters are flawless and the duo are absolutely perfect for one another. Laurie wonderfully balances out Fry's excellent but at times overbearing presence, while Fry brings Laurie round and supports him subtly but effectively. Possibly the most outstanding aspect of this marvel is their hilarious and creative wordplay, which is made even better by Lauries comical physical comedy and Fry's occasional hilarious slapstick. An example of their creativeness is seen here:

Fry: "Which of sir's manifold hairs would he care to place in my professional care for the purposes of securing an encutment?"

Laurie: "Well, all of them."

Fry: "My, I haven't cut a full head of hair since before the war!"

Another favorite of mine is the recurring skit of Tony and his coffee-obsessed boss Control, as their interactions are robotic and excessively civil, while at the same time having innuendo like undertones. They supposedly work for the CIA.

This is, again, the most drop-dead hilarious show you will ever come across. If you see only one of Hugh Laurie's or Stephen Fry's works, let this be it!!!

CLASSIC SKETCH COMEDY

[Shanmuk-Kumar · 9/10 · 13 August 2018]

So, I am not a British citizen but let me tell you that this is by far one of the best sketch comedies I can ever ask for after seeing lot stand ups and off the age comedy shows. This still remains to me one of the go to shows whenever I can find time.

I myself watched it multiple times and I can understand the some of satires be it political or social hinting towards the society at that time. To be honest some of them I think will be quite relevant today. The street interviews were also quite a brilliant idea. Before this I knew Hugh Laurie from Stuart Little, House M.D show. I am pleased to see he was such a great artist in physical, verbal comedic expressions and the same with Stephen Fry as well.

I would pay good money to be able to see these two gentleman again on the screen together.

I want all of this on dvd now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[liam-18 · 19 December 2003]

A real gem of a program for anyone who likes their humour dry with a hint of genius! It is said that there are two types of comedy performers, clowns and wits but Fry & Laurie break this rule from the off. With perfect awareness of their characters physical presence they bring the intelligent, charming, surreal and downright odd sketches to life with zest and sheer love of wordplay and being silly for the sake of it. Note to the BBC please pull your finger out and release every last bit of this fine comedy series on dvd right now!

Two Men And An Ampersand

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 8 August 2006]

Amidst the 'alternative' comedy chaos of the '80's, 'A Bit Of Fry & Laurie' arrived almost unnoticed. Unlike 'The Young Ones', it had no ambitions to 'tear up the rule book book of comedy', but simply to present funny, surreal sketches. 'Not Only But Also' was undoubtedly an influence; highlights included 'Its A Wonderful Life' starring Rupert Murdoch, 'Kickin' Ass', and the 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' send-up with Fry as a Smiley-type intelligence boss who comes out with such cryptic phrases as: "You know I can't stick The Department up my arse, George.". Another notable feature were the vox pop sequences. As a double act, Fry and Laurie were peerless. After three excellent seasons, the show moved to B.B.C.-1 for its final run, which predictably became bogged down by guest-stars such as Caroline Quentin. The pair then split to pursue successful solo careers. It would be nice to think that they might come together again some day to give us more of their offbeat brand of humour.

Amazing linguistic manipulation mixed with surreal imagination, yet the show somehow remains completely unpretentious

[Art_Vandalay_316 · 10/10 · 25 April 2007]

Well, really I don't know what to write, as I summarised it all in the title of the review! "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" is a programme that is unique of its time. There were other surreal comedy products in the 80s, such as the Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, The Young Ones and some of the Comic Strip Presents material. However, this is the only mainstream show which managed to effectively bridge the gap between sophistication and comedy, yet somehow managing to avoid coming across as pretentious.

Often as silly as it is clever, the comedy never falls into the trap of alienating a certain audience, always having something for everyone to enjoy, yet never compromising its unique style in doing so.

It's no surprise that the stars of the show are Stephen Fry - renowned for his intelligence and cultured nature and Hugh Laurie - renowned for his quirky and laughter-inducing surreal style. Combined, they make a perfect team.

In the 80s and 90s Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson were known as the kings of the 'nob gag'. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie will forever be the distinguished gentlemen of surreal wit.

A Duo Doubling Comedy for the Viewer

[bnkybrdwybby · 10/10 · 9 August 2008]

If you love comedy that can be intelligent and frivolous at the same time, A Bit of Fry & Laurie is the perfect show to view. Fry and Laurie each bring to the table their own form of comic genius which when combined becomes an explosion of guaranteed laughs. Anyone who has seen this show has their own favorite sketches. Some love the spy sketches in which Fry & Laurie satirize the British Secret Serivce and the mechanically amiable Tony and Control. Others may prefer the Utoxiter sketches featuring the pair as scotch-sucking John and Peter, always trying to outwit their rival, Margorie. My own personal favorites are Hugh Lauries singing numbers (particularly in the fourth series) and any sketch that involves Hugh Laurie and a bar (in particular the one with Fry as the piano player whom he forces to play "Strangers in the Night." For those who enjoy satirical comedy at its best, you will love the work of Fry and Laurie.

As a citizen of the United States, my exposure to the brilliance of British comedy is limited to one night a week on public television. I was familiar with Hugh Laurie from Stuart Little and his guest appearance on Friends. It was in 2004 when I began watching House and became fascinated by the acting of Hugh Laurie. Okay that's an understatement, I fell in love with him. I searched his name on my library database and found that he was in a show called Blackadder. This was my first experience with British comedy and I think it was an amazing show to begin with. With Blackadder I became familiar with British terms and slang, and I began to watch more British comedy on television. When I found this show that was chocked full of Hugh Laurie, (I mean, his name was in the title!) I jumped at the opportunity to view all four series. I was now familiar with some British pop culture and the work of both Fry and Laurie, and I feel that a better pair could not join together than these two brilliant gentleman. Each of them has their own unique qualities that makes the show twice as hilarious. Stephan has the ability to say any random phrase that can make absolutely during conversation without breaking the tone, and his satirical comments are classic. Laurie possesses brilliance with accents and musical talent as well as his ability to play a range of characters from an uptight and short tempered upperclassman to his rather goofy side that is often used in the introduction. (I apologize for that run-on sentence. I get carried away when I discuss Hugh Laurie.)

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry bring something very rare to comedy (especially in the United States). They don't spell everything out for the audience. It's hard to explain if you have never before seen their comedy, but what would be a complete joke for another show is only a section of a joke for Fry & Laurie, and not even the punchline. I guess what I mean is that they keep the entire sketch funny, rather than the traditional way of keeping it serious to the punchline. Well, I think I've bored you enough with my thoughts of the show so I will leave you with a phrase which I think sums up all of my thoughts completely: Soupy Twist.

Funny, insane, sometimes thought provoking and of course Fry and Laurie.

[ashwin-avasarala · 9/10 · 22 September 2009]

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are known for their comical timing, wit and acting skills and until now one could only imagine what sort of mad magic will be created if they script down and act out a "sketch" themselves. A bit of Fry and Laurie encapsulates the talents of both of them in the perfect proportions to make the audience laugh. Not having to use a script, but just 'Bits' as the title suggests, makes it all the more light-hearted. The use of language to make something absolutely innocent, to outrageously funny is probably the most striking aspect. Sure they go overboard sometime, but hey like I said, its madness. Funny, insane, sometimes thought provoking and of course Fry and Laurie.

Wonderful, including extras

[smegma23 · 9/10 · 3 January 2007]

Having never seen ABOFAL on TV, I've now watched all of Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD. To be fair, one should note that not every sketch delights--some are perhaps a shade too random and give us little to hang on to or identify with; but when Fry gets going on his "overly-florid-speech" character, with Laurie as the increasingly put-out straight man, we're in LOL territory. A particular highlight of Season 2 is the extended sketch in which an effete, reticent Laurie is charged by Fry's menacing spy/terrorist with planting a bomb in a local restaurant--then this scenario plays out alongside two or three other situations in the restaurant--each one terrific--with Fry and Laurie playing multiple characters.

In addition to the six episodes of Season 2m the DVD includes a 45ish-minute "Cambridge University Footlights Revue" that, while inconsistent in tone and quality, shows off Fry and Laurie and some of their contemporaries (including Emma Thompson) at college-age, looking freshly scrubbed and adorable. Fry, in particular, had yet to gain his extra poundage--his slender face is beautiful and he is a veritable panther in terms of physical grace. He, solo, also has the best piece in the "Revue," a recitation called "The Letter" that recounts, with raucously funny wordplay, his Harkerian visit to Transylvania to respond to the legal needs of one Count Dracula. ("The journey through Eastern Europe had passed pleasantly enough. I'd picked up a little German on a previous visit, and he and I had met up again at Ragensberg. Now, night was just falling as I knocked on the mighty oaken door, and heard the answering echoes ring through the castle. After what seemed a cliché, iron bolts were drawn back..." "I tried to question Travolta as to the nature of the Count's business as I dressed for dinner, but he made the sign of the cross and said nothing. I asked him why there were no mirrors in the castle, but this time he made the sign of the very cross indeed, and spat." "The wind whistled all through the night, and other Welsh hymns. I arose early, made my toilet, sat on it, and then came down to breakfast.")

Possibly the brainiest and most brilliant comedy ever!

[brunoantunes-63048 · 10/10 · 10 February 2018]

This a unique, mesmerizing series that doesn't seem to be earning the cult status it deserves. The humour is both flamboyant and abstract. Fry and Laurie perform a succession on apparently silly and quirky sketchs, while making you think about social status, power, communication, logic and linguistics. The conceptual complexity underlying nearly every line of dialogue is astounding. Some sketches are quite demanding for the audience, you'll have to put some abstract pieces of puzzle together to get the meaning. Anyone familiar with the Palo Research on systemic psychology and communication will be gratified with unpredictable gags which illustrate paradoxes and power tactics with sheer brilliance. Plus, there is also good (mostly minimalistic) cinematography, great acting (mostly from Fry) and some quite cool parodic music performed by Laurie. "Soupy twist"!

A Bit of Dry and Laurie

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 9 September 2021]

It is truly a British sketch comedy and variety show starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie CBE OBE. There are plenty of familiar British actors and actresses who appear in the series. It was okay but very dry humor for me. Maybe I need to watch it again to really appreciate it. I was glad to see it on BritBox as a Christmas present. The sketches sometimes ran along too at times. Some sketches were too short. Laurie played music too.

Set the standard for other such comedy series to follow

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 9/10 · 25 August 2010]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

There's a snobby element of British society that can't do without their humour being 'refined' and 'sophisticated.' Cambridge graduates Fry and Laurie would, by their appearance and eleqution, fit this bill perfectly, and certainly a lot of the humour on offer in this series does test your sense of subtlety to the limit. But these two pithy academics also seem to have an interest in lampooning the lower classes they seem to have less in common with, so the humour covers a wider section of society than those this might be slightly more aimed at.

It was up to these guys to set the standard for fellow Cambridge 'footlighters' Mitchell and Webb and Armstrong and Miller, and their style does seem to have rubbed off, though arguably to less well effect. ABOFAL plays out like a wacky mish mash of ideas in the shape of sketches, where nothing is spared. Unlike more recent 'sketch shows' like Little Britain or That Mitchell and Webb Look, there are no real consistent characters here, just different set ups and scenarios for each new episode, with exceptions such as the people who seem to be stopped in the street and asked for their opinions in each episode. Many have commented on how 'british' the humour is, and this certainly rings true, but there also seems to be a deep affinity with America in a few of the sketches, such as 'Kickin' Ass' and the air force commanders, that doesn't let any of it get bogged down too much in Anglo culture. Indeed, Laurie would go on to achieve international fame as Dr. House in the hit series (as well as having a CD release in the pipeline, displaying his talent for country 'n western warbling that we see a bit of here), and we'd go on to learn that Fry was in fact almost born in the States and later wowed us with his Stephen Fry Does America programme, touring the country, so the early signs of this love and appreciation were already there.

The more modern Mitchell and Webb are eerily similar to this pair, with Fry and Laurie in the respective roles as the portlier, more hesitant one and the leaner, more dynamic sounding one. And while M&W are very good, it was doubtless up to this pair to really show them how it was done. ****

A mixed bag

[grantss · 7/10 · 22 February 2023]

Comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie perform a variety of comedy skits and the occasional musical number.

Despite the talented individuals involved, their outstanding achievements in comedy and drama and the fame this series has I found this series a fair bit underwhelming. While there's some great skits and parodies and Hugh Laurie's musical numbers confirmed for me the genius that he is, there's also a lot of stuff that simply falls flat.

The worst stuff tends to be pretentious nonsense where Fry and Laurie (especially Fry) seem more intent on showing off their wordsmithery skills than making us laugh. Self-indulgent stuff that's drawn out beyond belief for no reward as there's no punchline (or it's a very bad one).

Overall then, a bit of a mixed bag.

"Oh Christ, I've Left The Iron On!"

[lordwoodbine · 10 April 2002]

Monty Python's footballing philosophers sketch is a good example of the painful varsity guff that has been a part of British TV and radio right up until today's 'League of Gentlemen'. It isn't what Fry and Laurie do at all. They plough a completely original furrow of snatched conversation, admass and inane banter that forms an impressionistic picture of the most baffling and frustrating 'bits' of the British experience.

A collection of sketches and routines that could well baffle some foreign viewers who may not understand the love/hate relationship that most sensible Britons have with their country. For example, in mentioning the town 'Utoxeter' Fry and Laurie are able to throw the audience completely. One viewer may remember a trip to the town, another may never have been there but is able to wonder quite how unpleasant/pleasant it may be. Some will know that there is a race track there but know no more. And we all get to celebrate a name that is bound to be far more interesting than the place it's self. Don't let that put you off. Most of their material is more universal than this example implies. It's this kind of circular thinking that Fry and Laurie spend most of their time exploiting while also chucking in TV show pastiche, songs and quite a few traditional 'shop sketches' that simply leave Monty Python wheezing on the touch-line. What I mean is that random elements are seemingly clumsily adhered to tried and tested comedy formulae to create something quite striking and original.

It's not to everyone's taste but if you believe that stupidity and intelligence are the two vital sides of the comedy coin then this pair may be for you.

British eccentricity

[smellthecult-com-1 · 8/10 · 15 November 2009]

A sketch show featuring the comic talents of two of Britain's finest.

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie lampoon most aspects of British life, playing a seemingly endless series of over-the-top caricatures of the populace. Thick as pig-droppings members of the general public, old boy toffs, crazed eccentrics and even bizarre secret agents are all on show and, whilst it can be a bit hit and miss, the standard is usually pretty high.

Stephen Fry is the standout of the two, as his excessive 'poshness' is used to great effect as he plays bumbling buffoons, corporation bosses and ludicrous TV presenters.

Always entertaining without being truly groundbreaking, it is worth a look.

The usual gripe, that is common to most sketch shows of the time, is the unnecessary inclusion of musical numbers, but that aside a thoroughly enjoyable show.

Balance is the key.

[supernova_painkiller · 10/10 · 5 October 2012]

What I expect from a comedy show to be perfect is to be both canny and shameless.

What makes ABOFL so remarkable (actually it's one of funniest and pleasant things I've ever seen) is a well-known formula to comedy duos: balance. It looks obvious to conceive, but hard to achieve.

Every duo MUST have a leader. It's hard to accept, but it's completely necessary. That doesn't mean that one is better than another, it's just you can't have a body with two heads: one must point at the direction and the other must move towards the goal, the head and the body.

With this in mind, one must agree Fry is the head. I saw one review here where one says the he has an overbearing presence... I agree, but not in that sense of loftiness, but in the sense of command and control. See, Hugh is the body (a lovely one by the way), he is the fun, the grace, the spirit that moves the show. But what if we had two Lauries? We'd have lots of laughter but no wit, and this would be wearing, it would run in circles around itself, an explosion without function. And if we had two Frys, we would have and interesting show flirting with comedy, but not fun.

Here is what all the genius of these two brilliant men is all about: Judgment. Fry never tries to be funnier than Laurie, because it's not possible, just that! Laurie was made for comedy like few people are, and his type of humorous talents can be hardly beaten, Fry's cannot compete with this. But, at the same time, Hugh, despite being so brilliant, knows it and allows Fry to lead him. Because he (Fry) has sense of artistic form, like technical, he knows what to do and how to - a perfect timing - then Hugh comes and does so. He is the player, Hugh is the ball, together they reach the goal.

I totally recommend this. Here is my favorite quote from the show: "Please, Mr. Music, will you play? ...Soupy Twist."

Very Random & Very Funny

[kolecta · 9/10 · 9 May 2010]

Every generation has a pair. We had Lano & Woodley (1990s), and now Hamish & Andy (2000s). And the Brits had Fry & Laurie (1980s).

The sketches are very funny and very random. Music, drag queens, impossible tongue twisters, play-within-a-play, and random outbursts from a man in the audience claiming that they stole his sketch all flow together very nicely alongside random comments from patrol police, random ladies, a priest and a wine dealer.

Some of the jokes are very specific and us non-Brits & post-cold war era kids just don't get it, but most of the time you do find yourself laughing with the studio audience no matter how inappropriate the joke. They're not allowed to swear (ass sketch aside) so they make up for it by having Stephen Fry randomly punching out Hugh Laurie every once in a while.

Amazing stuff, considering that both Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie were experiencing severe depression during the time that they were making the later seasons of the series.

Most of the sketches are still hilarious on the tenth viewing.

flawless teamwork

[chinesexiaomin · 9/10 · 14 January 2018]

The timing of their punchlines, gestures, catching-ups are just perfect. Their teamwork is flawless

Man

[mfilmslove · 10/10 · 23 August 2013]

Honestly, this is an excellent show, and to be honest I'm not going to go into detail about why I love it, but all I'd like to say is that it seems like it actually set the bar for comedy, it hasn't aged,and there was this one sketch in which Hugh plays an disabled person is a wheelchair who repeats certain statements and then shocks the audience in some way. If this isn't sounding familiar at all, then think Little Britain and the sketch where Lucas plays the disabled fellow, almost an exact copy apart from the fact I think Laurie's funnier, I still like Lucas though.

But, yeah.

A Quick Laugh and Easy to Watch

[brkcu · 8/10 · 6 October 2019]

After finishing Blackadder (another BBC1 classic), I found myself in a bit of a British sketch comedy drought (for literally 3.4 seconds) until Amazon suggested this marvelous 26-episode series. Composed of disjointed and often bitingly-satirical vox pops, musical bits, and innuendo-ridden sketches, Fry and Laurie make for a quick laugh and easy watching, though as an American you might feel occasionally left out of a joke (it is British humor, after all). The two have an undeniable on-camera chemistry and offer a different kind of comedy than what you'll find on American television today. Perfect for fans of The Office (UK) and old-school (or "classic," to those of you over 40) Saturday Night Live.

Uneven, but generally worth it

[dr_foreman · 7/10 · 3 November 2007]

I consider Steven Fry & Hugh Laurie to be old buddies of mine, since I grew up watching "Blackadder" and "Jeeves & Wooster." Naturally, I thought I'd give "A Bit of Fry & Laurie" a try when it came out on U.S. DVD. So far, I've seen the first two seasons.

The show sees the boys operating at their most cerebral and bizarre; many, many of the sketches are unashamedly intellectual and/or surreal. While there are many hilarious moments, I find perhaps half of the sketches to be either flat or alienating in their grotesqueness. The show is a weird mishmash of great stuff and complete clunkers. Generally, I find Laurie funnier than Fry.

The first season is good on the whole, but the second season sees Fry and Laurie recycling too many of their characters for repeat skits. I really didn't need to watch the endless adventures of John the businessman or the soft-spoken secret agents, for instance. I wanted more new stuff.

But when the sketches are great, they're great. I can't get the nursing home skit with the cocoa out of my head. But something about the bad sketches really annoys me. Sometimes being a little too smart and too smarmy kills the joke, you know what I mean? Pitch your material lower boys, pitch lower! You're dealing with an American here!

Maybe I'll buy season three when I have some dough handy -- I'm just not sure.

A Lot of Laughter and Wit

[TooDrunkToWalk · 8/10 · 10 July 2011]

It is a shame really that people will always know Hugh Laurie for House, and remember him as a serious actor, and will perhaps know the comedy actor in him. Not that Laurie in House is not good I mean he is great, but Hugh Laurie the true actor is a comedian and its a shame that most of his fans, especially those who started following him after House will never be introduced to his true works.

Well enough about Hugh Laurie, and on to the show as Hugh is only half of the show, the other half the always funny Stephan Fry. My first brush with the pair was in Blackadder, and along with Rowan Atkinson the three formed the pillars of British Comedy. It is an absolute delight for someone who likes good comedy that two of the three (Fry and Laurie), through this show, were given a license to go totally free and let loose their sense of comedy, no holds barred.

The show is essentially a series of skits performed by Fry and Laurie, and with each skit they take on different roles, though a few skits and roles are sometimes repeated, like Tony and Control,the good natured secret service men. In between skits sometimes we have a few fillers where Laurie and Fry are common London citizens and are randomly interviewed. In these interviews we never see or hear the question, and rather only the response they give, which works great as we can think up the question, which is fun. An example of this, which I recall off hand, is Fry dressed as an elderly person, saying I wouldn't suck it (or some variant thereof). We never hear the question, and Fry walks off after saying this, and that is that. These fillers are incredibly funny in themselves, and Laurie and Fry often even dress as women for the interviews. Another one which I remember is when Fry dressed as a woman is being interviewed, and Laurie, also dressed as a woman, walks up behind 'her', and threatens to write a stiff letter to the authorities. "I will write a stiff letter a very stiff letter....I will write it on a piece of card board." It was funny, damn funny and I seem to remember that this was the only interview filler where there was any direct interaction between the two actors.

The skits, which are the main focus of the show are very varied, and the two lead characters take on various roles and the setting change, from 1990s to the medieval ages at times even. Each skit on an average runs for about 3-5 mins, and these skits often break the audience wall as it is known and in one particular skit, there were subtitles at the bottom of the screen which pointed out to a man in the audience and said we can zoom right upto to his nostrils, which the camera later does. Another instance of this is when Fry goes and sits in the studio audience requesting them to fondle is bottom. Some characters and skits are repeated over the series and the their story is continued, from episode to episode. Tony and Control or two businessmen trying to fight of an adversary named Marjorie, were quite frequent.

Everyone has their favorite skits, and mine is Fry as a Policeman and Laurie as Mr. Nippl-e, where the pronunciation of Nippl-e is essentially the sound produced by dropping a small piece of wood on a table. That skit is absolute genius and very funny. Other regular elements of the show are Fry suddenly rambling on without a break, into the most perfect English, while in reality he is talking gibberish, and Laurie having a series of chat shows like 'realising I have given the wrong directions to.....' or 'Introducing my grandfather to....', 'or photocopying my genitals with.....' which are quite funny. A character whose name we hear a lot but who is never actually seen, Mr. Dalliard, is another semi-regular on the show. Another regular towards the latter seasons is every episode ending with Laurie playing the piano while Fry does an erratic and clumsy dance, while preparing a cocktail. The phrases "Please Mr. Music will you play" and "Soupy twist" are regular in the last two seasons.

In between all this is music and each of the characters take turn performing some songs, with some humorous lyrics, and Fry even got to Michael Jackson in one and do the 'moonwalk' with the help of a treadmill.

All in all the show is a work of art, and anyone who claims himself to be fond of comedy has to watch this show. It is a masterpiece, created by two masters of the art of comedy who in the show were given the license to just let their creativity run wild. Ultimately 4 seasons seems a little too less and I wish Laurie would one day return to comedy and give us at least one more episode of the show along with Fry. Admittedly not everyone will like every skit and some will like some skits more than others, but the layers of the show are so many that you are bound to find about the show that you absolutely love.

A must for all those who enjoy good comedy....a definite 9 on 10.

Hugh Laurie

[Tilyou1 · 9 March 2006]

Those who are only familiar with Hugh Laurie's work as the lead of "Dr. House, MD" will be fascinated to compare his earlier work in Hugh & Laurie which, while hilarious, fails to convince that Mr. Laurie had a life as an English wit and comedian before his present incarnation as a brilliant but acerbic and pain-damaged American doctor who never returns my requests for a consultation.

Like Dr. House, this earlier Laurie plays piano, and can burst derisively into shrill fake laughter to humiliate his adversaries. There are even moments in which Hugh plays an American character (isn't that what's going on in his piano playing bit in 1.2 where he earnestly sings "America" until Fry pushes him onto the floor?); which is much as Dr. House on occasion puts on a mock English accent who's imperfection makes him more convincingly American.

Much of Hugh & Laurie is inscrutable, and while a laugh track helps to educate Americans about which parts are funny, it does not reveal which parts are surreal because the humo(u)r is surreal, and which parts are merely English.

Cholly

Great

[coles_notes · 8/10 · 5 December 2022]

Created by the titular Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie this sketch show follows up the two favourites from the earlier Alfreso sketch troupe. Created sporadically between '87 and '95, these two are some of the most clever and witty comedians of their age and looking back I'm so glad to say both have had (and still have) very strong careers till this day. The first season was my personal favourite, although they all slap, the later seasons introduce the classic "two hosts presenting the sketch to a live audience" thing I've never really liked in the sketch format and definitely feels more like something the network required (perhaps as a reasoning for the laugh tracks?) than was something the two would have wanted. Just show the sketches! Season 4 alters that part to a bit of a joke on a late show which helps. All-in-all a phenomenal series, definitely one of the great sketch series, there's a few sketches I could flip on again and again. The sketches are pretty much all strong, with multiple laugh out loud moments, although again the real charm comes from the intelligence and wittiness behind the jokes. If you're a fan of either of these two and somehow haven't seen it, definitely watch it, its a very good laugh.